I love being a teacher in the school system—you get wonderful holidays off!  I am only teaching my private students today. 

A few weeks ago Living Social ran a deal for a couples massage at Prolong Symmetry in Chesterfield (very near the St. Louis School of Music), and I thought that seemed like a nice Valentine’s Day gift, so I bought it.  Chris and I had the appointment today since I finally had a Monday off.  (Monday is always his day off.)  Wow!  It was fantastic.  I have had a few massages in the past but never a couples massage.  The only difference is that you are just in the same room with your “partner.”  Two tables, two massage therapists.  Great way to spend an afternoon off.  They offered us the same price if we come in again between now and the end of May and we may just take them up on that. 

Totally unrelated:

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra—generally regarded as one of the world’s best orchestras.  But as you may or may not know, has only FOUR women in the orchestra, and until about a decade ago, didn’t allow women at all.  Read this article about how we shouldn’t be okay with this (if in fact you are).  The author also mentions that the orchestra seems to have an unspoken ban on minorities as well.  Granted, the orchestra isn’t from our country, but certainly plays here enough.  Should we be protesting?  Writing angry letters or organizing pamphlet drops?  Thoughts?

(I have attended a concert of the VPO and it was one of the greatest concerts I’ve ever attended.  I think we as a people get used to certain things and stop being angry—we have to or we would go crazy.  I imagine the concert would have been even better if the orchestra were composed of the best musicians, not simply the best white male musicians.)